Eat. Drink. Westside.

Never have three words delivered such a straightforward instructional to a downright fabulous time.

As a die-hard foodie, I know that I never need wander far for a good feed. The west’s reputation as a hot spot for Insta-worthy delectables, is growing by the day.

Eat Drink Westside is a cultural and culinary extravaganza that runs from 19-29 March. Jointly hosted by the five western municipalities, this unique program is a regular fixture of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, and shines a light on the west’s enviable food community.

That community was out in force on February 6, at the Mr West Bar & Bottleshop in Footscray for this year’s official program launch. MC’d by food blogger Sofia Levin, Mr West pulled out all the stops, with Beetroot Bloody Marys and Mandarin Mimosas, highlighting their diverse and daring drinks menu. Food was on offer of course, with moreish morsels provided by Small French Bar.

The team from the Gojo Ethiopian Café had the entire place smelling of coffee and popcorn, providing a preview of what can be expected if you happen to catch “Sunshine Fever!”

And of course, no trip to Footscray is complete without a Cavallaro Cannoli. Clebrating 60 years of traditional Italian pastries in the heart of Footscray, Tony Cavallaro was on hand to teach everyone how to pipe the classic Sicilian delicacies. Icing sugar was in the air, as people cracked into their perfectly crisp cannoli shells.

With 17 delicious events on offer, the diversity of the west will be highlighted through a variety of cuisines, including Ethiopian, French, Spanish, Lebanese and more.